You may earn a maximum of 3 points toward your final grade by doing the above and answering the questions and submitting them ontime (no later than Friday, September 29). Any worksheets submitted after the deadline will get a 0.
You will be rewarded a maximum of 3 points if I judge your work to be above average. You will receive 2 points if your work is average, that is it may have a few minor mistakes in some of the answers but demonstrates correct grammer and indicates that some, but not all, of the answers, are acceptable and well expressed. You will earn only 1 point if you simply answered the questions and/or if you use poor grammar and if there are signs that you have not read the material on which your answers are based.
Note: Like Execution of Justice, the dramatic action in this play is organized to flow differently from that of other plays this semester. For one thing, Hwang has built his play around himself and quotes from the New York Times and other media sources. And like Execution of Justice this approach to the construction of a play is unique and often challenging to readers. I think the approach is generally effective. It is also suited to be examined thru Ball’s method of analysis. However, I will keep the same set of questions in tact that were asked of Execution.
1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve?
The stasis of this play takes place when the main character Hwang is introduced, and he is petitioning the choice of casting the wrong person for a lead in his role. This position was for the character Ms. Saigon, and because of the casting being colorblind, a white man was casted for the role. This shows his struggle after his successful piece M. Butterfly.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
The intrusion occurs when Hwang's father visits when the casting situation starts to calm down. His father tells him that his play is brilliant, especially in the way it relates to his attempt at an American dream.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
The unique factor of this play is the casting of a caucasian male to play the role of Miss Saigon. This role was supposed to be played by an Asian and this went against the whole purpose of Hwang's play.
4. State the dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will Hwang be successful in his new play?
Will the Asian community be properly represented?
5. Use Hwang’s “character” to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
Hwang has to face an issue with his community in the casting for the lead role in his play. This shows that he has to deal with problems of underrepresentation and racism. Also, Hwang has to deal with himself when his father is under investigation for being and Asian spy.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Yellow Face.
One of the most theatrical moments in the play would have to be when Marcus reveals that he is not Asian. This is where conflict is created for Hwang in that his idea of being Asian might be slightly changed. He tries to cover this up to the press during his interview.
You may earn a maximum of 3 points toward your final grade by doing the above and answering the questions and submitting them ontime (no later than Friday, September 29). Any worksheets submitted after the deadline will get a 0.
You will be rewarded a maximum of 3 points if I judge your work to be above average. You will receive 2 points if your work is average, that is it may have a few minor mistakes in some of the answers but demonstrates correct grammer and indicates that some, but not all, of the answers, are acceptable and well expressed. You will earn only 1 point if you simply answered the questions and/or if you use poor grammar and if there are signs that you have not read the material on which your answers are based.
Note: Like Execution of Justice, the dramatic action in this play is organized to flow differently from that of other plays this semester. For one thing, Hwang has built his play around himself and quotes from the New York Times and other media sources. And like Execution of Justice this approach to the construction of a play is unique and often challenging to readers. I think the approach is generally effective. It is also suited to be examined thru Ball’s method of analysis. However, I will keep the same set of questions in tact that were asked of Execution.
1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve?
The stasis of this play takes place when the main character Hwang is introduced, and he is petitioning the choice of casting the wrong person for a lead in his role. This position was for the character Ms. Saigon, and because of the casting being colorblind, a white man was casted for the role. This shows his struggle after his successful piece M. Butterfly.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
The intrusion occurs when Hwang's father visits when the casting situation starts to calm down. His father tells him that his play is brilliant, especially in the way it relates to his attempt at an American dream.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
The unique factor of this play is the casting of a caucasian male to play the role of Miss Saigon. This role was supposed to be played by an Asian and this went against the whole purpose of Hwang's play.
4. State the dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will Hwang be successful in his new play?
Will the Asian community be properly represented?
5. Use Hwang’s “character” to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
Hwang has to face an issue with his community in the casting for the lead role in his play. This shows that he has to deal with problems of underrepresentation and racism. Also, Hwang has to deal with himself when his father is under investigation for being and Asian spy.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Yellow Face.
One of the most theatrical moments in the play would have to be when Marcus reveals that he is not Asian. This is where conflict is created for Hwang in that his idea of being Asian might be slightly changed. He tries to cover this up to the press during his interview.